Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, sex establishments are required to be licensed. 

A sex establishment can either be a sex shop or a sex cinema.  A sex shop is a premises used for business which consists to a significant degree of selling sex articles.  A sex cinema is any premises used to a significant degree for showing of films which are concerned primarily with, or relate to, or are intended to stimulate sexual activity. 

The law defines the way in which an application is made, which includes advertising notice of the application in the local press and displaying a notice outside the premises for a specific time period to give passers by the opportunity to comment by a statutory closing date.  When considering an application for a sex establishment licence the Council may only use the following criteria:

• The suitability of the applicant;
• Whether the applicant is a "front" person for someone else;
• The location and situation of the premises in relation to other premises in the area;
• Whether the number of sex establisments in that locality is equal to, or exceeds the number which the Council considers appropriate for the area.

Fees

The fee for a sex establishment licence is £4,092.

NB  Fees stated are for the period 1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009.

For further information contact the Licensing section on 01225 477531 or email licensing@bathnes.gov.uk.